Transport + London | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/transport+london
model.DotcomContentType$TagIndex$@540d8e54en-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017Thu, 14 Dec 2017 03:06:50 GMT2017-12-14T03:06:50Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
'Our playground': London cyclists find utopia in Regent's Parkhttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/bike-blog/2017/dec/12/our-playground-regents-park-is-londons-cycling-utopia
<p>Every morning groups of cyclists gather to ride the park’s Outer Circle. As cycling gains momentum in the city, more circuits might flourish</p><p>It’s half past seven on a mild October morning, just getting light, and I am waiting with my bike at one of the most tranquil spots in central London, under a canopy of trees on the Inner Circle. Hidden away inside Regent’s Park, the Inner Circle is a circular road where my cycling friends and I are to rendezvous before setting off for an hour’s training.</p><p>“Training” might be overstating it. Right now I am not in training for anything, nor to my knowledge are the others – Lewis, Charlie, and Graham. We are here to play.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/04/death-air-pollution-cut-if-uk-hits-walking-and-cycling-targets">Death from air pollution would be cut if UK hits walking and cycling targets</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2017/dec/01/bike-lanes-dont-clog-up-our-roads-they-keep-london-moving">Bike lanes don't clog up our roads, they keep London moving</a> </p><p>Our goal is for every Londoner to live within 400 metres of a safe cycling route by the year 2041</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2017/apr/22/freewheeling-in-the-city-cycling-london-in-pictures">Freewheeling in the city: cycling London – in pictures</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/bike-blog/2017/dec/12/our-playground-regents-park-is-londons-cycling-utopia">Continue reading...</a>CyclingHealthSocietyLife and styleLondonUK newsTransport policyTransportPoliticsAir pollutionEnvironmentTue, 12 Dec 2017 07:30:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/bike-blog/2017/dec/12/our-playground-regents-park-is-londons-cycling-utopiaPhotograph: Michael Kemp/Alamy Stock PhotoPhotograph: Michael Kemp/Alamy Stock PhotoSimon O'Hagan2017-12-12T07:30:27ZCroydon tram crash 'caused by driver falling asleep and speeding'https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/07/croydon-tram-crash-caused-by-driver-falling-asleep-and-speeding
<p>Investigators conclude tram operators failed to understand risk of vehicle overturning and to take enough safety measures</p><p>Investigators have said they believe the Croydon tram crash was caused by the driver briefly falling asleep before speeding through a sharp bend, but tram operators had failed to properly understand the risks and put enough safety measures in place.<br></p><p>Inspectors said new measures were needed across Britain’s tram networks, including technology to monitor drivers’ alertness and automatically reduce speeds before dangerous junctions.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/07/croydon-tram-crash-caused-by-driver-falling-asleep-and-speeding">Continue reading...</a>Rail transportTransportUK newsLondonThu, 07 Dec 2017 17:29:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/07/croydon-tram-crash-caused-by-driver-falling-asleep-and-speedingPhotograph: RAIB/PAPhotograph: RAIB/PAGwyn Topham Transport correspondent2017-12-07T17:29:42ZAll trains from London Euston station cancelled due to damaged wireshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/03/all-london-euston-trains-cancelled-due-to-damaged-wires
<p>All rail services were cancelled on Sunday morning and Network rail warns passengers of ongoing disruption</p><p>Rail services to and from London Euston have resumed following emergency repairs, but passengers have been told to expect continued disruption. </p><p>All lines from the station were closed on Sunday morning as engineers worked to replace downed electrical wires overhead. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/03/all-london-euston-trains-cancelled-due-to-damaged-wires">Continue reading...</a>Rail transportTransportUK newsLondonSun, 03 Dec 2017 14:43:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/03/all-london-euston-trains-cancelled-due-to-damaged-wiresPhotograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesPress Association2017-12-03T14:43:24ZThe tube’s advance into London’s suburbs – archive, 1 December 1924https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/01/tube-underground-london-transport-train-suburbs
<p><strong>1 December 1924</strong> Millions have been spent on an enormous post-war expansion programme <br></p><p><strong>Fleet Street, Sunday</strong><br>The opening of the remade City and South London Railway tomorrow marks another stage in the conquest of the suburbs by Tube. This word Tube will soon be a misnomer. By the end of next year it will be possible to travel over twenty-three miles from Edgware to Morden – “the Edgmore” is suggested as a new name for the railway — and only about half the distance will be underground. The old Tubes will in time, with the spread of these country extensions, become merely tunnels to take people under the thick of London like tunnels through a rock.</p><p>The Tube, in its new phase, is becoming a great creator of suburbs. The big community of Golders Green owes its existence entirely to the Hampstead Tube, for the ridge always made the district difficult of access by bus, and now that Edgware is reached that once delightful village is not likely to resist for long its transformation into a big cluster of new villas.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/01/tube-underground-london-transport-train-suburbs">Continue reading...</a>London UndergroundLondonTransportFri, 01 Dec 2017 05:00:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/01/tube-underground-london-transport-train-suburbsPhotograph: David Savill/Getty ImagesPhotograph: David Savill/Getty ImagesFrom our London Staff2017-12-01T05:00:33ZGreen cabs: is London ready for electric taxis?https://www.theguardian.com/business-to-business/2017/nov/28/green-cabs-london-ready-electric-taxis
<p>London follows cities such as Amsterdam and Bangalore by introducing electric taxis next year, but some see problems on the road ahead</p><p>When John Dowd drives along the streets of London, schoolboys offer fist bumps and people wind down their windows to talk.</p><p>This 48-year-old from Sudbury, north-west London, isn’t part of some reality television show: he’s test-driving a new, electric version of the black cab.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/aug/10/electric-cars-big-battery-waste-problem-lithium-recycling">The rise of electric cars could leave us with a big battery waste problem</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business-to-business/2017/nov/28/the-green-van-gogh-cleaning-up-the-cityscape">The green Van Gogh cleaning up the cityscape</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business-to-business/2017/nov/28/green-cabs-london-ready-electric-taxis">Continue reading...</a>Business to businessBusinessTransportTransport policyCitiesTechnologyEnvironmentScienceLondonTue, 28 Nov 2017 07:31:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/business-to-business/2017/nov/28/green-cabs-london-ready-electric-taxisPhotograph: Tim Ireland/APPhotograph: Tim Ireland/APSenay Boztas2017-11-28T07:31:02ZTwo men released without arrest over Oxford Circus tube panichttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/26/two-men-released-without-arrest-over-oxford-circus-tube-panic
<p>No charges made after men handed themselves in over incident that triggered evacuation of tube station on Friday</p><p>Two men who handed themselves in to police over an incident that caused a mass evacuation at Oxford Circus tube station on Friday have been released without being arrested or charged.</p><p>British Transport Police are investigating if any offence was committed after panic erupted in the packed central London station.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/26/two-men-released-without-arrest-over-oxford-circus-tube-panic">Continue reading...</a>LondonLondon UndergroundRail transportTransportUK newsSun, 26 Nov 2017 15:39:18 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/26/two-men-released-without-arrest-over-oxford-circus-tube-panicPhotograph: Guy Bell/REX/ShutterstockPhotograph: Guy Bell/REX/ShutterstockPress Association2017-11-26T15:39:18ZOxford Street panic began with fight at tube station, suggest policehttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-police-attend-tube-incident
<p>Visitors to London West End ran and hid, two tube stations were closed and armed police raced to scene after incident </p><p>An altercation between two men appears to have triggered the outbreak of mass panic in London on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, leading to people fleeing in fear, armed police being deployed and a section of the West End being evacuated.</p><p>British Transport Police issued a CCTV appeal for information about two men believed to be involved in a fight in Oxford Circus tube station on Friday afternoon as part of their inquiries into the cause of the panic. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are releasing CCTV images of two men we would like to speak with following the incident at Oxford Circus earlier today. <br><br>Anyone with information, big or small, should get in touch by texting us on 61016. <a href="https://t.co/h71UlCqxFa">https://t.co/h71UlCqxFa</a> <a href="https://t.co/mRd8k2YIMq">pic.twitter.com/mRd8k2YIMq</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-police-attend-tube-incident">Continue reading...</a>LondonLondon UndergroundRail transportTransportUK newsMetropolitan policeSat, 25 Nov 2017 10:07:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-police-attend-tube-incidentPhotograph: Jack Taylor/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Jack Taylor/Getty ImagesPatrick Greenfield, Ian Cobain and Vikram Dodd2017-11-25T10:07:39ZWitnesses describe Oxford Street 'pandemonium' - videohttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2017/nov/24/witnesses-describe-oxford-street-pandemonium-video
<p>Passengers at Oxford Circus tube station react to apparent gunshots,
prompting mass panic and an armed police response in central London to
what turned out to be a false alarm</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-police-attend-tube-incident">Oxford Street panic subsides after central London alert</a></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2017/nov/24/witnesses-describe-oxford-street-pandemonium-video">Continue reading...</a>London UndergroundRail transportTransportLondonFri, 24 Nov 2017 20:13:48 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2017/nov/24/witnesses-describe-oxford-street-pandemonium-videoPhotograph: ReutersPhotograph: Reuters2017-11-24T20:13:48ZOxford Circus incident: share your eyewitness accountshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-incident-share-your-eywitness-accounts
<p>If you witnessed the incident at Oxford circus on Friday evening, we’d like to hear from you<br></p><p>There was confusion in central London on Friday evening as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-police-attend-tube-incident">armed police responded to an incident on Oxford Street</a>. <br></p><p>Pictures on social media showed London’s main shopping street deserted apart from police and emergency vehicles, but after just over an hour the police said they had found “no evidence of shots fired or casualties” and declared the incident to be over. <br></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-incident-share-your-eywitness-accounts">Continue reading...</a>LondonLondon UndergroundRail transportTransportUK newsFri, 24 Nov 2017 19:12:45 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-incident-share-your-eywitness-accountsPhotograph: Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPAPhotograph: Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPAMaeve Shearlaw and Guardian readers2017-11-24T19:12:45ZOxford Circus: police stood down after incident in central London – as it happenedhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-police-london-tube-gunshots-live
<p>Met police say there is ‘no evidence of shots fired or casualties’ after earlier reports of gunfire at tube station</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-incident-share-your-eywitness-accounts">Oxford Circus incident: share your eyewitness accounts</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:54:01.252Z">6.54pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>This blog will be closing now. Here is a summary of tonight’s events:</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-incident-share-your-eywitness-accounts">Oxford Circus incident: share your eyewitness accounts</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:40:52.275Z">6.40pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The singer and songwriter, Olly Murs, who has 7.8m Twitter followers, was among those who tweeted that there had been gunshots and is taking a lot of stick as a result. </p><p>He was not the only one tweeting about gunshots by any stretch of the imagination and he clearly believed there had been shots fired - as did the numerous people who called the police - but it shows how quickly misinformation can spread, especially when someone has such a large social media following. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fuck everyone get out of <a href="https://twitter.com/Selfridges?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Selfridges</a> now gun shots!! I’m inside</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Really not sure what’s happened! I’m in the back office... but people screaming and running towards exits!</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Evacuating store now!!! Fuck heart is pounding</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Being told no shots in Selfridges! Have no idea the whole store went crazy!</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:31:02.898Z">6.31pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Prince William and Kate Middleton’s arrival at the Royal Variety performance at the London Palladium, situated on Argyll Street, close to Oxford Street, will be delayed due to tonight’s incident, Kensington Palace has said. A spokesman said: </p><p>The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will still attend this evening’s Royal Variety Performance. Their arrival will be delayed, but we hope they will be able to arrive in time for the start of the performance.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:26:45.279Z">6.26pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Andrea Acedo, 21, was one of those waiting to be given the all-clear. She and her fellow students were held inside the nearby Westminster university for about half an hour before the incident was stood down. She said:</p><p>I was in class and there was a helicopter, lots of ambulances and police cars. Then I heard that someone was shooting people but we didn’t know where, so they had to lock down the university so no one could come in.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:24:41.482Z">6.24pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Another colleague, <strong>Joanna Ruck</strong>, was near Oxford Circus when events unfolded and provides an insight into how the sense of panic spread. She said:</p><p>I was just near Oxford Circus on the corner of Regent’s street on the way back to tube. I could see some police had just arrived but I thought maybe it was for traffic control because it was so busy. </p><p>Then suddenly people started screaming and running dropping their bags. I just started running too. There were hundreds and hundreds of people running away. Some said someone had been stabbed, others were saying shots fired, everyone was really scared. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:20:40.813Z">6.20pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Restaurants just metres from Oxford Circus underground are back in business. </p><p>Chefs in Ponti’s Italian Kitchen are putting pizza in the oven and waiters are serving drinks.<br></p><p>It is an important day for us. We have been full since 8am. We depend on London city centre and the hustle and bustle it involves. But more importantly, the police responded in way they do always do. Brilliant.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And... we are back to normal in Oxford Circus. <a href="https://t.co/MzwbcYTykh">pic.twitter.com/MzwbcYTykh</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:16:08.172Z">6.16pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Mail Online speculated that the incident at Oxford Circus in London involved a lorry crashing into pedestrians based on a social media post that was ten days old.</p><p>The website’s article on the incident included a headline referring to a lorry and quoted a Twitter post that was from 14 November. The Daily Mail UK Twitter account also posted </p><p>Witnesses describe seeing a lorry surrounded by police on a pavement covered with blood.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:15:06.177Z">6.15pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The cordon to the north, on Regent Street, was about 100 yards away from the entrance to the tube station. People inside it were being escorted out by an armed officer at about 6pm but, within minutes, it was taken down and the small crowd that had gathered headed for the entrance of the tube.<br></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:13:26.604Z">6.13pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>People are going back onto the streets after the Met and BTP confirmed that no evidence has been found of gunfire.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Area around Oxford Circus tube has been reopened. Normality appears to have been resumed <a href="https://t.co/R8tats7HnC">pic.twitter.com/R8tats7HnC</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:11:55.036Z">6.11pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>This video shows the extent of - understandable - panic among shoppers caught up in the incident, which thankfully was not what people dreaded.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:09:44.869Z">6.09pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The incident is officially over, say the Met. In a statement, the force says:</p><p>The Met response on Oxford Street has now been stood down. If you sought shelter in a building please now leave and follow the direction of police officers on the ground if you need assistance.</p><p>At 4.38pm on Friday, 24 November police started to receive numerous 999 calls within a short space of time reporting shots fired in a number of locations on Oxford Street and at Oxford Circus underground station.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:07:28.855Z">6.07pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>One of my colleagues, <strong>Caroline Bannock</strong>, has emailed in to say a couple of tube drivers suggested to passengers that the incident at Oxford Circus was related to a suspect package:</p><p>I was on a southbound Victoria line train at 5.20pm when the tube driver announced that there was an incident at Oxford Circus tube and no trains would be stopping there. The train proceeded through Oxford Circus.</p><p>The driver updated five minutes later: to say that both Oxford Circus and Bond Street stations were closed. There was a suspect package found on train heading northbound, it had been identified and the train had been moved on. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:01:43.744Z">6.01pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>This map shows where the incident, whatever it was, took place:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T18:00:09.169Z">6.00pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>This, from a reporter on BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show, is amazing if true:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Being told an electrical fault may have been mistaken for a gun shot” - just overheard on th security guard’s radio</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T17:58:36.512Z">5.58pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>There is still a lot of confusion and rumours about what has happened on the ground. Oxford Circus station entrances are completely deserted apart from police and emergency vehicles. </p><p>Piles of Evening Standard newspapers are still in place under the Christmas lights and there are still hundreds of people hiding in shops and bars near the underground station. Lines of red double decker buses are parked on curbs in the area.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One the scene in oxford circus. Hundreds of shoppers hiding in hotels and businesses nearby. People are very jumpy. <a href="https://t.co/tLuXVAgdTJ">pic.twitter.com/tLuXVAgdTJ</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T17:56:09.886Z">5.56pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The Uk terrorism threat level is at severe, meaning an attack is highly likely, with large amounts of terrorist plotting feared by counter terrorism officials.</p><p>Reports to police, even if unverified, of gunshots fired would trigger a rapid and large response. The view would be it is better to respond in large numbers with extra armed officers rushed in, then scale back if nothing is found.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T17:51:13.048Z">5.51pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Oxford Circus station has reopened, Transport for London says.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oxford Circus and Bond Street stations now both reopened and all trains are stopping normally.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T17:47:22.938Z">5.47pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Snapchat prankster funnyboyeast was in Zara near Oxford circus making a video when he heard two bangs. </p><p>People were screaming and running into the shop. We got rushed out of the back of the store by security, saying there were rumours of a bomb threat.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T17:43:47.689Z">5.43pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The Met police have released an updated statement, which suggests the incident may not be as serious as initially feared, although it continues to advise people taking cover in buildings to remain there and others to leave the area. It says:</p><p>To date police have not located any trace of any suspects, evidence of shots fired or causalities. Officers continue to work with colleagues from British Transport Police in the area of Oxford Circus.</p><p>Updates will be provided as soon as we have them.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T17:41:14.672Z">5.41pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>One eyewitness, Paula, was on the 390 bus going towards London Victoria. She said:</p><p>I saw about 10 armed police jump out of a van and run towards the station. Then they closed the station gates. Next thing, the bus closed us in and kept on driving away. Then there were quite a lot of people screaming on the bus, and he let us off. The police kept moving us down and shouting for us to get away. I heard people shouting that someone has been shot.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T17:39:44.118Z">5.39pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here is our latest news story:</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-police-attend-tube-incident">Oxford Circus: armed London police respond to reports of gunfire</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T17:38:23.169Z">5.38pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>British Transport Police says one woman has sustained a minor injury but it sounds like it was in the panic leaving the station:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">At this stage, we have received one report of a woman sustaining a minor injury when leaving Oxford Circus station. There are no other reported casualties. More updates to follow.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T17:34:47.643Z">5.34pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Some fifty minutes on from the first reports at 4.37pm, no casualties had been located, nor had any suspects.The reports concern the Oxford Street area, in an around Oxford Circus tube station, which would have been hugely busy. It is rush hour in the capital with the Oxford Street area always busy with shoppers and commuters.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T17:31:14.466Z">5.31pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>This video shows the panic unfolding:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An unusual hustle in Oxford Circus, people run out from a shop screaming, police arrived and closed the road <a href="https://t.co/D9CPTAXu0E">pic.twitter.com/D9CPTAXu0E</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T17:29:10.140Z">5.29pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>London Fire Brigade are also at the scene in force:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We were called at 1643 to an incident at Oxford Circus tube. Three fire engines &amp; 15 firefighters are in attendance. Please avoid the area. Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/BTP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BTP</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/metpoliceuk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@metpoliceuk</a> for more information <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OxfordStreet?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OxfordStreet</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2017-11-24T17:27:19.039Z">5.27pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The Met police have said they are responding to an incident on Oxford Street and at Oxford Circus tube station.</p><p>In a statement, it said:</p><p>Police were called at 4.38pm on Friday, 24 November to a number of reports of shots fired on Oxford Street and underground at Oxford Circus tube station.</p><p>Police have responded as if the incident is terrorist related. Armed and unarmed officers are on scene and dealing along with colleagues from British Transport Police.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-police-london-tube-gunshots-live">Continue reading...</a>LondonCrimeGun crimeTransportUK newsFri, 24 Nov 2017 18:54:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2017/nov/24/oxford-circus-police-london-tube-gunshots-livePhotograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty ImagesHaroon Siddique2017-11-24T18:54:01ZCompletion of London's Thameslink rail project delayed until December 2019https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/23/thameslink-rail-completion-delayed-london-december-2019
<p>Promise of 24 Thameslink trains running through central London each hour will not be fulfilled until another £900m of work is carried out</p><p>The £7.5bn Thameslink project designed to run trains automatically through central London every two and a half minutes will now not be completed until the end of the decade.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/nov/05/biggest-uk-rail-franchise-to-be-broken-up-govia-thameslink-railway-southern">UK's biggest rail franchise to be broken up</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/sep/07/thameslink-new-trains-tube-style-standing-up-future-commuting-london">Cattle-class: are Thameslink's new 'tube-style' trains the future of commuting?</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/23/thameslink-rail-completion-delayed-london-december-2019">Continue reading...</a>LondonRail transportTransportUK newsSouthernBusinessThu, 23 Nov 2017 00:01:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/23/thameslink-rail-completion-delayed-london-december-2019Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PAPhotograph: Andrew Matthews/PAGwyn Topham Transport correspondent2017-11-23T00:01:15ZUber’s ‘disruption’ is far from benign - but it’s not too big to ban | Abi Wilkinsonhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/22/uber-disruption-ban-london-sadiq-khan
The latest revelation about the ride-hailing app concealing a huge hack of personal data confirms that London mayor Sadiq Khan is right to take it on<p>Uber is one of those companies that seems to take pride in upsetting the status quo. Its <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/20cbed1c-5a58-11e7-b553-e2df1b0c3220">cheerleaders claim</a> the minicab app is a shining example of “disruptive innovation” – where entrepreneurs change entire industries by thinking outside the box. Critics contend that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/22/uber-slick-but-not-disruptive">Uber’s business model is actually pretty traditional</a>. The only major difference is scale, and the use of a high-tech booking system.</p><p>And while the app booking system is certainly convenient, it’s far from unique to Uber. There are now numerous firms using similar technology. None, though, have the same sort of global coverage Uber does. What really sets the company apart is its aggressive growth strategy, enabled by billions of dollars of investments. It has been accused of <a href="https://www.wired.com/2014/07/ubers-brilliant-strategy-to-make-itself-too-big-to-ban/">attempting to become “too big to ban”</a> by undercutting on price – even if this means losing money – in order to drive competitors out of business and capture markets. The idea is that if Uber is able to dominate the minicab industry in a given city, politicians will struggle to ban it while keeping voters on side. This makes regulating the company difficult, as the threat of prohibition is the most powerful weapon in regulators’ arsenal.</p><p><i>(January 1, 2017)</i>&nbsp;<strong>#DeleteUber goes viral</strong></p><p></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/13/uber-lost-appeal-workers-employment-rights">Yes, Uber has lost its ludicrous appeal. But will its drivers get their rights? | Jason Moyer-Lee</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/22/uber-disruption-ban-london-sadiq-khan">Continue reading...</a>UberTechnologyLondonUK newsSadiq KhanPoliticsTransportEmployment lawLawHackingWed, 22 Nov 2017 11:26:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/22/uber-disruption-ban-london-sadiq-khanPhotograph: Simon Dawson/ReutersPhotograph: Simon Dawson/ReutersAbi Wilkinson2017-11-22T11:26:49ZKing's Cross fire victims honoured 30 years onhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/18/kings-cross-fire-victims-honoured-30-years-on
<p>Memorial service takes place at London tube station for families, survivors and emergency services staff from 1987 blaze <br></p><p>Silence descended on a corner of one of London’s busiest underground stations for a minute on Saturday as victims’ families and survivors gathered to remember those who died in the King’s Cross fire 30 years ago.</p><p>Huddled together just below street level, emergency services personnel who responded to the blaze were among those attending the memorial service at the station. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/15/grenfell-tower-kings-cross-fire-30th-anniversary">Grenfell Tower and the forgotten lessons of the King’s Cross tube fire | Peter Bradshaw</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/18/kings-cross-fire-victims-honoured-30-years-on">Continue reading...</a>London UndergroundFirefightersLondonRail transportTransportUK newsSat, 18 Nov 2017 13:28:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/18/kings-cross-fire-victims-honoured-30-years-onPhotograph: Jack Taylor/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Jack Taylor/Getty ImagesBen Quinn and agencies2017-11-18T13:28:25ZBritain wants cycle-friendly cities. Here’s how we get them | Andrew Gilliganhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/14/britain-cycle-lanes-cities
Cycle lanes reduce pollution, improve health and are incredibly popular. But forget common sense: getting the go-ahead on new schemes is all about politics<p>Almost four-fifths of people in some of Britain’s largest cities want road space taken away from cars and given to bikes, according to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/14/three-in-four-want-more-spending-on-cycle-lanes-in-uk-cities-survey" title="">a new poll from Sustrans</a>. I’m not at all surprised. Whenever we proposed the same thing in London, where I&nbsp;was cycling commissioner until last year, we got the same response.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/bike-blog/2017/aug/09/what-would-the-perfect-cycling-city-look-like">What would the perfect cycling city look like?</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2017/nov/07/banning-bikes-from-oxford-street-is-a-disaster-for-london-cycling">Banning bikes from Oxford Street is a disaster for London cycling</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/14/britain-cycle-lanes-cities">Continue reading...</a>CyclingLife and styleCitiesTransportUK newsPollutionEnvironmentRoad safetyLondonCommutingLocal politicsLocal governmentPoliticsTue, 14 Nov 2017 14:55:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/14/britain-cycle-lanes-citiesPhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianPhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianAndrew Gilligan2017-11-14T14:55:10ZTrain derailment in south-west London causes delayshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/06/train-derailment-in-south-west-london-causes-delays
<p>Passenger sustains minor injuries as South Western train partially derails in Wimbledon area</p><p>A train has partially derailed in south-west London leaving one person with minor injuries and causing significant disruption. </p><p>Emergency services attended the “low-speed partial derailment”of a South Western Railway train early on Monday morning in the Wimbledon area near East Putney, National Rail said. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/06/train-derailment-in-south-west-london-causes-delays">Continue reading...</a>Rail transportTransportUK newsLondonMon, 06 Nov 2017 08:31:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/06/train-derailment-in-south-west-london-causes-delaysPhotograph: John Stillwell/PAPhotograph: John Stillwell/PAPress Association2017-11-06T08:31:28ZWorld's most unusual commutes: share your pictures and storieshttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/06/worlds-most-unusual-commutes-share-your-pictures-and-stories
<p>Swim, hike or kitesurf to work? We want to hear from readers around the world whose daily commute is out of the ordinary – share your stories and pictures via GuardianWitness</p><p>A strong coffee and a good book is, for many people, all that’s required to get through the journey to work. But for those who prefer to beat the rush hour by swimming, kitesurfing or paragliding to the office, the daily commute can be a little more demanding and a lot more fun.</p><p>Do you avoid traffic jams and packed trains by commuting on horseback or climbing into a canoe? We want to hear from those intrepid readers around the world who opt for more unusual means to get to work – such as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/sep/29/experience-i-swim-to-work">Benjamin David</a>, who swims 1.2 miles (2km) down the Isar in Munich everyday. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/06/worlds-most-unusual-commutes-share-your-pictures-and-stories">Continue reading...</a>Air transportWater transportUK newsCommutingTransportLondonLos AngelesNew YorkHong KongSpainFranceUS newsRoad transportSwimmingHealthLife and styleCaliforniaCitiesChinaAustralia newsGermanyBusinessBusiness to businessAsia PacificEuropeFitnessWorld newsGuardian Small Business NetworkSmall businessMon, 06 Nov 2017 07:30:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/06/worlds-most-unusual-commutes-share-your-pictures-and-storiesPhotograph: Frank Bauer for the GuardianPhotograph: Frank Bauer for the GuardianAnne Cassidy2017-11-06T07:30:10ZTell us how you are affected by the HS2 routehttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/03/tell-us-how-you-are-affected-by-the-hs2-route
<p>We’d like to hear from you if you, your community or your business is affected by the planned route of HS2 <br></p><p>The HS2 rail link will affect many people in regions all along the proposed 140 mile route, with plans that could demolish <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/18/people-on-estate-facing-demolition-for-hs2-could-struggle-to-find-new-homes">properties</a> and close <a href="http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/analysis/wrong-side-of-the-tracks-the-yorkshire-businesses-facing-ruin-because-of-hs2-1-8725332">businesses</a>. Landscapes are also due to be indelibly altered by its proposed path, and we’d like to hear what the impact will be for you. <br></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/21/living-in-the-path-of-hs2-we-dont-matter-do-we">Living in the path of HS2: 'We don’t matter, do we?'</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/03/tell-us-how-you-are-affected-by-the-hs2-route">Continue reading...</a>HS2Rail transportUK newsTransportNorth of EnglandYorkshireLondonFri, 03 Nov 2017 10:45:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/03/tell-us-how-you-are-affected-by-the-hs2-routePhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianPhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianGuardian readers and Matthew Holmes2017-11-03T10:45:19ZHeathrow launches investigation after confidential security plans found in streethttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/29/heathrow-launches-investigation-after-confidential-security-plans-found-in-street
<p>USB stick containing 2.5GB of data, reportedly including locations of CCTV cameras, tunnels and access to restricted areas, was found in west London</p><p>An investigation has been launched at Heathrow airport after a memory stick reportedly containing confidential security information was found in the street.</p><p>The Sunday Mirror says the USB stick – which was not encrypted and contained 2.5GB of data – was discovered by a member of the public in Ilbert Street in Queen’s Park, west London, and handed to the paper.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/29/heathrow-launches-investigation-after-confidential-security-plans-found-in-street">Continue reading...</a>Heathrow airportData and computer securityUK security and counter-terrorismAir transportTransportLondonBusinessTechnologyWorld newsUK newsSun, 29 Oct 2017 10:16:52 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/29/heathrow-launches-investigation-after-confidential-security-plans-found-in-streetPhotograph: Hannah McKay/PAPhotograph: Hannah McKay/PAPress Association2017-10-29T10:16:52ZAir pollution is killing us. As a GP I welcome this new charge on drivers | Chris Griffithshttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/23/pollution-toxic-air-london-vehicle-charge-gp
From today the most polluting vehicles on London roads will face a ‘toxicity’ fee. It’s a vital first step towards cleaning up the UK’s dangerously dirty air<p>A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/19/global-pollution-kills-millions-threatens-survival-human-societies" title="">report released last week</a> by international experts shows pollution to have caused more deaths in the UK than in many other countries in western Europe. Air pollution is largely invisible, so it is hard to grasp how much damage it is doing to our health. But studies like the Lancet commission on pollution make it clear that poor air quality increases not only the likelihood of developing a range of respiratory illnesses, but also the frequency and severity of bouts of those illnesses.</p><p>Like many GPs, I see this “double hit” in the children and adolescents who come to surgery every day. Preschool children who live near main roads have an increased risk of developing wheeze triggered by viral colds – a condition we call “preschool wheeze”. Exposure to traffic pollution also increases the chance of a child developing asthma. For preschool wheezers and children with asthma, high pollution days can then trigger episodes of severe wheezing, especially when pollution has not been dispersed by the wind.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/19/global-pollution-kills-millions-threatens-survival-human-societies">Global pollution kills 9m a year and threatens 'survival of human societies'</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/11/oxford-aims-to-cut-air-pollution-car-ban-zero-emissions-zone">Oxford aims for world’s first zero emissions zone with petrol car ban</a> </p><p>Air pollution in the UK, and especially London, has been described by many experts as a public health emergency</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/23/pollution-toxic-air-london-vehicle-charge-gp">Continue reading...</a>Air pollutionPollutionEnvironmentUK newsLondonSadiq KhanPoliticsCongestion chargingTransportTransport policyHealthSocietyAsthmaMon, 23 Oct 2017 11:19:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/23/pollution-toxic-air-london-vehicle-charge-gpPhotograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesChris Griffiths2017-10-23T11:19:56ZLondon's £10 T-charge comes into effect in fight against toxic car fumeshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/23/london-10-pound-t-charge-comes-into-effect-toxic-car-fumes
<p>Drivers of older, more polluting petrol and diesel cars in centre of capital now liable for fee on top of congestion charge</p><p>Drivers of the most polluting vehicles must from now on pay a daily charge of up to £21.50 to drive in to central London.</p><p>From Monday, people driving older, more polluting petrol and diesel vehicles will be liable for the £10 <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/emissions-surcharge">T-charge</a>, on top of the congestion charge of £11.50, which has been in place since 2003.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/18/government-set-to-face-fresh-legal-challenge-over-air-pollution-crisis">Government set to face fresh legal challenge over air pollution crisis</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/23/london-10-pound-t-charge-comes-into-effect-toxic-car-fumes">Continue reading...</a>Air pollutionLondonPollutionCongestion chargingEnvironmentLondon politicsPoliticsHealthTransportAutomotive industryBusinessUK newsTransport policySadiq KhanSocietyMon, 23 Oct 2017 10:04:48 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/23/london-10-pound-t-charge-comes-into-effect-toxic-car-fumesPhotograph: Nick Ansell/PAPhotograph: Nick Ansell/PAKevin Rawlinson2017-10-23T10:04:48Z